BBV 2012 Community Mock Draft: Arizona Selects ... Courtney Upshaw, OLB, Alabama

The Big Blue View 2012 Community Mock Draft has reached pick No. 13, where 'ManningHam and Cheese' is playing the role of general manager for the Arizona Cardinals. Here is the selection.

No. 13, Arizona Cardinals -- Courtney Upshaw, OLB, Alabama

With the 13th pick in the 2012 BBV Mock Draft, Arizona selects Courtney Upshaw, DE/OLB Alabama. The Cardinals could have gone a couple of ways with this pick, mainly a franchise tackle to help keep Kolb upright, or a premier pass rusher on what was one of the NFL's worst defenses at getting pressure on the QB. With the 2 clear cut best OTs gone in Kalil and Rieff, the Cardinals elect to help their anemic pass rush. Ingram would have been the pick here, as Arizona believes he is the better all around pass rusher, but Seattle swooping in at the last minute leaves them with Upshaw.

Upshaw has a relentless motor, great strength, can hold up extremely well against the run, is good at shedding blocks to get to the ball carrier, and has a knack for being in the right spot. At Alabama, he played the hybrid end/linebacker role, showing an ability to play standing up, and with his hand in the dirt. Because of his size (6'1", 273), many scouts are questioning whether he can be an end in the NFL. Luckily for Arizona, they employ the 3-4 defense, where the rush is expected to come from the OLB position, something Upshaw should excel at. Some have likened him to a Lamar Woodley type, and if it's accurate, the Cardinals have finally gotten the edge rusher they sorely need in their 3-4 scheme.

Tossed back and forth on this pick, deciding whether to go with the pass rusher, or take Jonathan Martin to shore up the LT position, which is Arizona's other glaring weakness. With pass rushers always at a premium, and a starting caliber LT a little easier to come by than a premier edge rusher, Upshaw made the most sense. Look for Arizona to take a tackle with their second round pick. -- ManningHam and Cheese

-- 'Simms-McConkey' is now on the clock for the Dallas Cowboys

First Round

1. Indianapolis Colts -- Andrew Luck, QB, Stanford [Drizzzy's Explanation]
2. Washington Redskins (from St. Louis Rams) -- Robert Griffin III, QB, Baylor [Woogie 526's Explanation]
3. Minnesota Vikings -- Matt Kalil, OT, USC [Tito's Explanation]
4. Cleveland Browns -- Trent Richardson, RB, Alabama [NYG 28's Explanation]
5. Tampa Bay Buccaneers -- Morris Claiborne, CB, LSU [Carmine5520's Explanation]
6. St. Louis Rams (from Washington Redskins) -- Justin Blackmon, WR, Oklahoma State [Pataroons' Explanation]
7. Jacksonville Jaguars -- Riley Reiff, OT, Iowa [Ed Valentine's Explanation]
8. Miami Dolphins -- Ryan Tannehill, QB, Texas A&M [Ed Valentine's Explanation]
9. Carolina Panthers -- Quinton Coples, DE, North Carolina [JINTSGM's Explanation]
10. Buffalo Bills -- Michael Floyd, WR, Notre Dame [bigbluethruandthru's Explanation]
11 Kansas City Chiefs -- David DeCastro, G, Stanford [Jason Pierre Pwned's Explanation]
12. Seattle Seahawks -- Melvin Ingram, DE, South Carolina [TNYFBG's Explanation]
13. Arizona Cardinals -- Courtney Upshaw, OLB, Alabama [ManningHam and Cheese]
14. Dallas Cowboys -- Simms-McConkey
15. Philadelphia Eagles -- JimmyK
16. New York Jets -- Plaxico Burress
17. Cincinnati Bengals (via Oakland Raiders) -- GiantStep
18. San Diego Chargers -- Charles L
19. Chicago Bears -- Pat19
20. Tennessee Titans -- apingicer
21. Cincinnati Bengals -- GiantStep
22. Cleveland Browns (via Atlanta Falcons) -- NYG 28
23. Detroit Lions -- CCE718
24. Pittsburgh Steelers -- NYG_Slater
25. Denver Broncos -- daddyzander
26. Houston Texans -- #AHoustonGiant
27. New England Patriots (via New Orleans Saints)
28. Green Bay Packers -- Flynner
29. Baltimore Ravens -- Larry Soprano
30. San Francisco 49ers -- RealLT
31. New England Patriots -- Ryan Valentine (first round only); Second Round -- nysoldier
32. New York Giants -- Ed Valentine